Paul Willason Poet Free verse

Ohio and Kent State

Ohio and Kent State
were far away from Australia.
But like America, the Vietnam war
hung like a noose around
the collective neck of the Nation. 
We were fired by a cause,
an innocence born out
of a belief that a voice could be
louder than the gun.

Banners and protest choked 
the commerce of cities,
chants rose like prayers 
to drown out drums.
Governments saw something 
dangerous in the swelling power
of the young.

Then bullets tore into the dream.
The images of death
that had for years soaked 
television screens with the blood
of Vietnam, had come home.
Innocence was lost.

Our generation are old
men and women now, picking
over the bones of our dreams.
Some of us still know the words
of Neil Young's anthem, ‘Ohio’,
or Redgum’s ‘I was only 19’,
see the images of war
still bleed across 
our television screens.

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Gershon Wolf April 6, 2024 at 9:25 PM I sure remember... even watch old Crosby Stills Nash and Young videos of 'Four Dead in Ohio.' ... A Tidbit for you: Neighbor of mine stopped off at the Kent State Campus last year. He asked for a tour of the Memorial to the four victims. He was greeted by the Administrative Officer with 'What are you talking about?' The supervisor was even more blunt. He drove around, asked questions, found nothing, and drove dumbfounded, as was I when he told me. Go figure... ~ gw Paul Willason April 7, 2024 at 2:59 PM Dear Gershon, the account you have given of your neighbours experience at Kent State is sad. We imperil our humanity when we forget the victims of violence and such a disregard for history almost guarantees a repeat. Thankyou so much for reading my poem and providing comment. Like you I still view CSN and Y on youtube. Take care fellow traveller.

J. Summers April 4, 2024 at 5:17 PM An awesome poem Paul. I was a college sophomore in Michigan at the time. Shock and disbelief quickly turned into demonstrations on campuses across the country. “Picking over the bones of our dreams,” great line. John Paul Willason April 4, 2024 at 8:12 PM Good to hear from you my friend...thankyou for your comments. Those times came highly charged with emotions and set off events that still ripple today. We all carry memories of that period, a mixed bag of uncertainty, freedom, fear and good times. Produced some bloody good music. Take care...

Frederic Parker April 3, 2024 at 7:24 PM the song Eve of Destruction is as relevant today as it was yesterday...those who hunger for war have never been to war...my first thoughts after reading your poem Paul Willason April 4, 2024 at 7:48 PM Thankyou Frederic for reading and commenting on the poem. That era produced some memorable music, quite unique and inspired songs. I guess the mood acted on the creativity of the artists at the time...big themes, big emotions...big music. Regards, Paul